Dogs and neighbors.

[ovrszd]

I would NEVER take our dog into a store unless I KNEW in advance that they welcomed dogs. In fact, the only store she's ever been in is PetSmart. And the only place I've seen a dog in a store, other than PetSmart, is Home Depot and Lowe's, and only once in a shopping cart in a Walmart.

And the Vet. When we pull up to the building and I get out and say "come on", he gets a very sad look. He don't fight it, just isn't excited about it. Kinda like us going to the Doc for a Prostate exam.

 

[prichard]

I would NEVER take our dog into a store unless I KNEW in advance that they welcomed dogs. In fact, the only store she's ever been in is PetSmart. And the only place I've seen a dog in a store, other than PetSmart, is Home Depot and Lowe's, and only once in a shopping cart in a Walmart.

We definitely ask before hand.

If our dogs stayed home all the time they'd never learn how to act around strangers.

 

[BrokeFarmerJohn]

Around here dogs in certain stores isn't uncommon, I have seen lots of dogs in tractor supply, rural king, pets mart and jacks aquarium just to name a few, there all dog friendly stores. I understand the idea of animals going wherever the owner goes, I believe it's good for the animals to take a ride now and again, all animals I see in those stores are always well behaved, ignore other people unless approached ext and I personally have had at least one dog in every store I mentioned, rather than leaving the dog in the car, I knew the store was pet friendly so what the heck. I have seen windows smashed because a animal was in the car alone, one time this girl had a pet carrier in her SUV, and someone smashed the window thinking there was a animal inside, the law was called and the people just apologized, never heard if they paid for a new one or not.

When a dog I had was 11 weeks old (mini pin) i didn't want to leave him at home alone so I brought him with me when I rode along with my sister to AT&T (I was the account holder and had to be there to activate her BF to my family plan) we went to 1 AT&T store and 2 Verizon stores, it was about 95 outside and I held the dog the entire time I was in the stores because they were not pet friendly stores and I didn't want it to be an issue, it never was, no employees asked me to leave, no other customers complained, the dog just looked around very quietly and life went on, I had the occasional person stop and want to pet the dog which i kinda feel is annoying but I let them, usually kids and women.

Unless the animal is causing trouble and badly behaved I can care less if I see one in a store. I have never seen one in a stroller though or dressed up, that would be a new one for me.

 

[95XL883]

When we see a dog in a store we usually have our 2 kids with us (1 year old & a 4 year old). I don't want to have to worry about someone's dog jumping on either of our kids. I carry concealed everywhere I can and this is only one of the reasons, I will protect my family IF I can. I can't stand to see people pushing their dogs in them little strollers either. A dog was meant to be at your house, on your property or in your vehicle. Not in a stroller, a shopping cart or being shown off in a store. Again, service dogs are different they are trained and well behaved. If your dog needs socialization go to a dog park. I have zero patience for a dog in a store. I had a yellow lab once who I took to a tractor show (I had him cabled to my trailer) a man walked up and had the dog jump on his chest, I immediately made the dog get down and told him bad dog. The man said it's okay I have a dog, I said it's not okay I don't want my dog jumping on anyone. I never took the dog anywhere like that again.

I hear you on the jumping. My dog is trained not to jump on anyone. We don't tolerate it. We don't even have to correct her on it. She is always on leash and always kept close to us. If she isn't constantly exposed to people, by exposed I mean with 20' or so, (they don't have to pet her, talk to her or even notice) she becomes afraid of people. I watch people's reactions. I immediately get out of anyone's way who shows any concern about her and there are very few of those. Most people want to pet her and I have to instruct them to wait and see if she will come to them on her own. At that point they can pet her. I should point out she doesn't show aggression to people. I won't allow it and I wouldn't take an aggressive dog into public areas. Heck, if I can't train the aggression out, I won't have the animal. At 76 lbs, Sammie is good sized. I watch her close and train her daily. She's a great dog. To stay that way, she needs exposure to people. Again, I don't tolerate aggression ( I can take away her food or even a bone while she is chewing on it and she knows to respond submissively.) and I don't tolerate jumping or pawing people. We also work with her on interacting with our small nieces and nephews. Any dog can knock a small child down. (I just wish some people would teach their children that dogs are not to be struck, pulled on, (especially around the eyes or mouth) or teased or taunted.)

On a dog park, that is a one-size-fits all approach which doesn't help with human socialization. In my limited experience, protective/herding breeds have trouble with dog parks as there are simply too many dogs for them to be comfortable. It is too much for them to watch and assimilate at once.

If I may, I would suggest being careful with the firearm. Use of a firearm in public is restricted to imminent danger of loss of life or grave bodily harm. Pulling it just because a dog on a leash is near could be considered brandishing and result in legal difficulties. Even stating you have a gun can be construed as a threat. Now clearly if a dog is showing serious aggression (growling, snarling, snapping) and the owner isn't getting it under control, that situation might justify pulling a firearm but that is a judgement call dependent on specifics too variable for me to want to specify here. A firearm is not a tool of aggression, it is a tool of stopping an imminent threat to life or grave bodily harm. I don't generally tell people I meet that I carry mostly for the reason that some would consider that a threat. Just making a suggestion. You seem to be a smart guy, I'm sure you will get it right if you stay calm.

 

[95XL883]

My youngest Son is very good with his dogs. He's an excellent trainer. He has taught one of his dogs (Ziggy) as a Blood Hound. Hires out to find wounded or dead Deer during season. Anyway,,,, he is the same way with Ziggy. He scolds her if she is impolite to anyone, even if they tempt her. If she approaches you she will never touch you. She won't take food from anyone except Danny. If you offer her something to eat she will sit down and look at Danny for guidance. Very cool to observe.

I have "shop parties" 2 or 3 times a year. 30-40 people all bring food and we have a feast. My dog Willard and Ziggy are allowed to attend. Neither of them ever invade anyone's space. If they are in the way all it takes is a stern "Willard go lay down" and he goes to his bed and stays there.

I would never take Willard into a store. Danny would never take Ziggy into a store.

Sounds like great dogs and great owners. Good on both of you. Thanks for sharing.

 

[95XL883]

My parents had a shop party at their house, a chicken stew with about 120 people. All they ask is people bring a dessert, well someone brought a cake that was on a rotating stand. My aunt came over to me about 2 hours in and said I think you need to get your dog, I just saw him over licking that chocolate cake as he was spinning it around, I went and put him in the dog lot, lol.

Shaneard, aren't you the one who said no one thinks your dog is as cute as you? That's actually pretty cute. Thanks for sharing.

 

[95XL883]

I would NEVER take our dog into a store unless I KNEW in advance that they welcomed dogs. In fact, the only store she's ever been in is PetSmart. And the only place I've seen a dog in a store, other than PetSmart, is Home Depot and Lowe's, and only once in a shopping cart in a Walmart.

Good point. I follow that rule also. Locally, PetSmart, Home Depot, some Lowe's (manager's choice), Academy, Cabelas (but I don't take mine there as all the stuffed animals put it on alert), Grass Pad (a nursery) are the one's I know of.

 

[Shaneard]

If I may, I would suggest being careful with the firearm. Use of a firearm in public is restricted to imminent danger of loss of life or grave bodily harm. Pulling it just because a dog on a leash is near could be considered brandishing and result in legal difficulties. Even stating you have a gun can be construed as a threat. Now clearly if a dog is showing serious aggression (growling, snarling, snapping) and the owner isn't getting it under control, that situation might justify pulling a firearm but that is a judgement call dependent on specifics too variable for me to want to specify here. A firearm is not a tool of aggression, it is a tool of stopping an imminent threat to life or grave bodily harm. I don't generally tell people I meet that I carry mostly for the reason that some would consider that a threat. Just making a suggestion. You seem to be a smart guy, I'm sure you will get it right if you stay calm.

I would never pull a weapon if I didn't intend to use it, I hope I never ever have to, it wouldn't be for threatening anyone, I don't want people to know I carry. If a dog growled or snarls and I can get away or get my kids away I would in a heartbeat, if the dog came and attacked that's a different scenario. That is why I put IF in bold, IF is a big word here.

 

[Shaneard]

Shaneard, aren't you the one who said no one thinks your dog is as cute as you? That's actually pretty cute. Thanks for sharing.

Had I witnessed it it wouldn't have been pretty, he knew better, my dogs aren't allowed to beg for food when we are eating, inside or out, they are made to lay down preferably a good distance away. When I found out what he did I took care of it by putting him up and removing the cake so no one would eat it, lol.

 

[ovrszd]

Had I witnessed it it wouldn't have been pretty, he knew better, my dogs aren't allowed to beg for food when we are eating, inside or out, they are made to lay down preferably a good distance away. When I found out what he did I took care of it by putting him up and removing the cake so no one would eat it, lol.

Oh man,,,,,, members of my gang would have removed the dog for sure. But the cake would have stayed and word quietly spread to those that appreciate a situation like this as the unknowing helped themselves to a slice!!!!!